Police dispatchers answer incoming 911 calls in Atlanta and provide dispatch services if the emergency situation requires law enforcement units. If a caller needs medical or firefighting assistance the police dispatcher will transfer the line either to a fire rescue dispatcher – who work together with police dispatchers in the city’s 911 Communication Center – or to a Systems Status Controller with Grady Emergency Medical Service, depending on availability and proximity.

If you are prepared to become a qualified applicant for these agencies, then review the following guide on how to become a 911 operator in Atlanta:

Step 1. Explore Advanced Qualifications

When dispatching agencies have a large volume of applicants one of the ways they distinguish among candidates is to see who has a college degree. This shows you are able to make a long-term commitment and have a demonstrated field of expertise, which can help you on both your initial application and future career expansion. Offered through online institutions and at least a dozen colleges in the Atlanta area, you can find any of the following associate or bachelor degree programs at a location near you:

Psychology with courses covering stress management and disorders that some of your callers may be experiencing

Communications, where you will learn about intercultural communications and effective communication strategies

Emergency Management, providing you with a background in disaster response and command structure

Law Enforcement, with a curriculum that will familiarize you with the inner-workings of law enforcement agencies

Criminal Justice, where you will become skilled in the different aspects of the criminal justice system and thereby become especially qualified for law enforcement dispatch

Step 2. Apply for a Job with One of the Agencies in Atlanta

Police and fire rescue 911 dispatcher jobs are available through the City of Atlanta’s website. To begin the process of applying for these jobs you will start by checking if there are any vacancies posted on the city’s jobs webpage. You must apply for these positions online, and you can do this by clicking on the open job announcement and following the instructions for filling out a supplemental questionnaire and submitting your online résumé.

You will also need to register for an online account with the human resources department. If you do not have regular access to a computer you can apply on computers in the human resources office located at 68 Mitchell Street Southwest in room 2120.

Grady Emergency Medical Service Dispatcher – Officially known as a System Status Controller, Grady EMS requires you to be able to type at least 30 words per minute with a 95 percent accuracy rate, and will give your application preference if you can meet any of the following:

Step 4. Expore Your Career Options

Congratulations, once you have reached this step you should be settling in to your new career as a 911 dispatcher in Atlanta. Last year in the greater Atlanta metropolitan area there were 1,230 emergency dispatchers employed, earning an average salary of $32,890.

The months and years of experience you gain on the job will be considered together with your additional qualifications to determine your future career path and promotional opportunities.

You may consider obtaining additional 911 dispatcher training locally with agencies such as: